by R. E. Laurel
“I’m going to have to google it to watch.”
“The wedding. It was totally hot.” She began fanning herself with her hand.
Victor’s brow rose up at her definition. “You are totally hot” he added. Again she laughed like she didn’t believe it.
“And my next dilemma is, do you share my bed tonight or do I put you in a guest room?”
“Definitely, put me in your bed.”
“You’re eager,” she laughed.
“You’re beautiful. Something is different with you than with others.” He confessed leaning closer to brush a kiss on her lips.
The lights flickered causing both to look at the chandelier and then to a nearby window where a total whiteout was happening. The golden glow from a nearby street light could barely be seen. Victor stood to walk towards the window to peer out.
“It’s wicked out there,” he muttered. “Ever have the power go out?”
“Oh sure. I have a generator for such occasions.”
“Do your fireplaces work?”
“Yes, they do. I had the chimney’s cleaned every fall.”
“A woman always prepared. I love that.”
Victor returned to the table to pick up their plates and return to the kitchen as Maren followed to wash off and place in the dishwasher. She gave him a sideways look. “I’m ready for bed.”
“Where do I sleep?” He had a mischievous grin playing on his lips.
“I’ve been going over and over with that issue and decided, with me.” Reaching out her hand, he grasped it, fingers interlocking they left the kitchen. He clicked off the lights as they left the room. Her squeal of surprise filled the house as he easily swept her into his arms to carry her up the stairs. Mr. Whiskers hurried past them to wait on the top of the stairs.
***
“Sit like that in the middle of the rumpled sheets.” He ordered. As she did he removed his camera to snap a few pictures of her.
“Only for your eyes, right?” She warily wondered.
“Definitely. I’ll make a copy and delete them. He stripped his jeans off and she flipped back the blankets, silently offering him to lay next to her. After turning off the crystal cut lamp on the nightstand she turned to face him. With a huge smile, she happily slid next to him instantly finding herself wrapped into his arms. He laid her on her back, partially covering her with his body as his mouth claimed hers in a long goodnight kiss as he gripped the blankets to cover them.
The glow from an outside light barely brought the room to a dim light. Maren’s hand caressed his jaw as he eased away to look into her eyes. “I never ever dreamed that I would be doing this with you,” she whispered.
“I never have either. That first day I noticed you have drastically been an eye-opening experience for me. Even Stan can’t believe how I’ve done a complete turnabout” he replied, his hand sliding up beneath her top to feel the softness of her skin at her waist.
“Were you really that terrible of a person? If so, I certainly can not believe it.” Her hand slid down his arm, feeling the muscles tightened from her touch.
“I was. I was uncaring on a lot of things as I mainly did what I pleased, no matter who I pissed off. I didn’t care. I blame it on the kind of upbringing that I had. Sent off to private schooling to stay there the whole time, coming home on breaks.”
“As a child?”
“Yea.”
“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that.” She wrapped her arms around his neck, holding him close to her. “I wish I could hug away those sad days.”
Victor grinned. “To be truthful. Those were good days. I wasn’t around my family,” he confessed.
She pulls away, “How dreadful of a thing to say! The family is very important!”
He scooped her against him, his chin resting near the top of her head. “Maren, it’s in the past. You are now and my future.”
Her eyes widened as a crooked grin curved her lips. Future?
“Good night, handsome.”
“Good night my gorgeous, Maren,” he muttered close to falling asleep.
Maren fell asleep with a masculine arm draped over her waist and a huge smile on her lips. The word future kept repeating in her mind. Could that mean that he is in love with me? How do I feel about that? I believe that I have sure fallen in love with him.
“Oh shit,” she whispered through the sigh as a long breath escaped from him, indicating that he slept. Calming herself, she savored the feel of his long-form pressed against her and his arm around her as sleep finally claimed her tired body.
Maren woke instantly feeling that she was alone in her bed. Glancing at the alarm clock, she saw the time a little after one in the morning. Slowly she slid to a sitting position when she noticed Victor’s silhouette wearing only boxers as he stood near the window watching outside. He lifted his arm, bringing a cup to his lips to take a drink.
“Hey. Is something wrong?”
He glanced towards the bed at the softness of her voice and watched her emerge from the darkness of the room to stand in the dim light cast from the street light.
He shook his head, “Nah. Nothing, well I just have a lot on my mind.” He clenched his jaw when she slipped her arms around his waist then dropped his arm around her, keeping her nearby.
“Anything I can help you with?”
“It’s a matter I have to deal with on my own but thanks, gorgeous.” He muttered, returning to look at the snow piling up outside among the near blizzard-like conditions when the winds picked up.
CHAPTER 20
Maren woke with the feeling of kisses being pressed on her back and the warmth of his hand beneath her top as he cupped a breast. A sigh slipped from her as his hand slowly slid down her stomach lightly easing her bottoms down as he moved lower.
“I want you my Maren,” he murmured against her neck.
“What?” she muttered.
“I said I want you, my Maren.”
Slowly she woke, moving her body as his hand guided her hips until she felt the bottoms leaving her legs. His knee moved between her legs, urging her onto her back. Being cradled in his forearms, his mouth covered hers, his kiss soft, sensual as he kissed her awake. He felt her hands caress his arms until they clasped at the back of his neck. Her fingers tangled in his hair. Shifting her hips, she felt him probe until he slowly entered her.
“Oh my god,” he groaned as they became one. He began the age-old dance between man and woman. His moves were slow wanting to feel every inch of her inside, wanting to feel her tempestuous moves on the outside. Maren joined him, learning the steps quickly as he nibbled at her neck before covering her mouth with his. “Gorgeous, you’re unbelievable.”
Lips barely touching, her gasp of pleasure fluttered against his. She easily accepted his hardness as he began to make slow love to her.
“Oh shit,” she whispered, briefly seeing the grin on his lips before he straightened his arms to gaze with a heated expression at her.
“I love watching you,” he said, gaining a bashful smile from her. “I’m a lucky man,” he whispered, falling prey to her magic moves, bashful touch. Her legs moved along his hips and higher to cradle him between her thighs.
He straightened his arms, his hands going to her hands holding them in his on the sides of her head before releasing them as he sat up. He gripped her pajama top. In one quick move tore it open, the buttons flying through the air. Her surprised squeal, his answer. Now his eyes could freely see her body. Bending down, his mouth trailed kisses between her breasts before taking a nipple into his mouth then just as quickly moved to cover her mouth with his. Sitting up, his hands freely gripped her waist, holding her still as he continued moving in her, now harder, faster, getting a cry from her.
“Victor,” she cried his name, loving this new feeling. Her fingers clutched the sheet, her teeth bit her lower lip before releasing to open when her gasps began.
He stopped, believing he may have hurt her until a devilish smile curved her lips. She reached
out to touch his thighs, her hips moving against him.
“What do you want, gorgeous?” he dared ask.
“More of you. All of you. Please.”
Her words stirred his heart, his soul as he continued to make love to her. Once again his body covered hers, his arms braced on each side of her. Maren moved, her gyrations wild against him. The silent plea in her eyes as they looked at each other burnt into his heart. Her nails raked down his back as her body began reacting to him, ready to rise to the next level until together they ended this journey.
His mouth covered hers, the kiss as wild as their moves. Her cry filled him, his breath mingled with hers as they both strived to meet the need driven by making love.
And yes, it was love.
His chin lightly rests on her forehead. He could feel her gasping breath hot on his neck as their bodies slowly returned to normal. On his mind now was keeping her by his side. No use in denying his feelings. It is love. Why would he still be with her, doing things with her? Making Memories. Why would she be a constant thought in his mind if it weren’t? Shocked by the disclosure, he moved away to lay on his side, he braced his head in his hand to study her profile. Her gaze went to the ceiling. He reached out, touching his hand on her stomach. His fingers stretched to touch her chin, easing her head to look at him.
Should he tell her his feelings? Shifting to give her sweet lips a kiss, he decided to wait. “Good morning.”
“Good morning,” Maren returned still amazed.
“You stay here. I’ll be back.”
Curiously she watched as he got out of bed studying his naked body. He walked to his suitcase and withdraw a pair of khaki clam diggers covered with huge bright flowers, frayed at the hem. Her eyes slipped over his very masculine form as he slipped them on.
“What are you wearing?” She laughed.
“I told you I was going to the Bahamas but I had my plans changed. Stay put, I want to remember you this way.”
Still grinning, she watched him leave the bedroom before sitting up to look down at her torn top. She gripped the opening. Shaking her head, she couldn’t believe that he did this. Buttons flew in every direction. Her body shivered in the intense way he demanded her to react to him. She made up the bed and then crawled to sit in the middle to wait for him. Her phone ringing switched her heated thoughts.
“Hello, Belinda.”
“Hey. Just calling to check on you and make sure you’re alright with the storm.”
“Couldn’t be better,” she sighed.
“Okay,” Belinda thought that was a strange answer. “I guess you’re going to get decorating for Christmas like you normally do.”
“At the moment I think I’m waiting for breakfast in bed,” Maren confessed.
“Wait a minute. What did you just say?”
“You heard me the first time.”
“With Victor?”
“You better believe it. He’s wonderful, funny, thoughtful, caring and everything wrapped into one.”
“Sounds like you have fallen.”
“I know that I have,” she finally dared to closely speak her feelings to her.
“I’m happy for you.”
“Well, wait and see how he feels. I don’t know what my next step should be.”
“Tell him.”
“You’re never any help with problems that I have.”
“That’s because you over think things, remember?”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah. I heard you before.”
“Here you are, gorgeous,” Victor announced.
“Gorgeous still.” Belinda laughed. “Call me when you can.”
Maren tossed her phone on the bed when he returned carrying a wooden tray and a plate with French toast, syrup, and her favorite Hot chocolate and a rose laying across the top. Looking at her sitting in the middle of the bed her one leg bent beneath her, the other with her foot flat on the top of the mattress, knee bent. Her pajama top hanging open to reveal the flat stomach and swell of her breasts caused his breath to catch. Her hair was a mess like those big hair bands used to wear and her expression was sheer relaxation.
“Vic, you are spoiling me.” She waited as he set the tray on the bed. Straightening he removed his phone from a back pocket and pointed it at her. “What are you doing?”
“Taking your picture. I want to remember this morning forever.”
She heard the click and moved her hand to her hair. “I’m a mess!” She complained. Click again. “Vic!” Another click.
With a laugh, he reclined next to her moving his head near hers took a few selfies. Looking at them he laughed again at her many expressions especially the one she snuck in with her sticking out her tongue, pretending to lick the side of his face.
“I’m sure that those are so memorable,” she complained.
“They are. Check outside. You should see the snow. It’s over my car.”
“They’ll be plowing soon then Rick can come with his truck and blade and clean the driveway. Guess what we’re doing today.”
He shrugged, “No idea.”
“Removing my fall decorations and putting up the Christmas ones.”
He watched as she took a bite then offered him a slice, sharing her breakfast with him. His wondered how his heart could take any more from her and decided he had to let her know.
“Maren,” he paused as she expectantly looks at him. His hand went to her face and his heart burst more. She held her fork in the air as she looked at him. “I can’t hide the way I’m feeling about you. The times we have shared, the memories we have already made astound me. You are the wish that I made. I haven’t been happy for a long time until you. I, I’m in love with you.”
The silence lingered for what seemed to be forever. His gaze closely watched her and damn if her eyes didn’t begin to glisten with unshed tears. She briefly lowered them as she placed her fork on the plate and then looked back at him. Her lips were tightly pressed together in the vain hopes of keeping them from quivering but he could see where she was losing that battle. Soon the huge tears slowly slipped down her cheeks. His brows slightly rose at the nod of his head.
“Yep. You are the one who managed to tame this bad boy down,” he confessed. Still waiting for her to say something. She blinked her eyes causing more streams to slip down her cheeks. He shifted himself to sit up to face her. “Maren?”
She felt his thumb wipe away her tears while she could only numbly sit. Her gaze connected with his pale blue eyes and read the concern. Victor fell in love with her. She needed to confess how she truly felt, too.
“Oh shit,” she whispered.
He grinned at her response.
“I love you,” she meekly spoke the words causing him to lean closer to hear her. “I have gone through life thinking I’m fine without companionship but since I met you I realize how stupid that thought had been. You are the best thing that has happened to me.”
His hand slipped behind her neck as he moved in to press a long kiss on her lips. He slipped his tongue past her lips forcing her to widen her mouth to receive a gasp from her. Easing her onto her back, Victor let his free hand sliding around her waist. Her arms wrapped around his shoulders to hold him on her as he kissed her breath away.
CHAPTER 21
Maren was still floating on cloud nine as they worked side by side. Her slight body involuntarily shivered at the words repeating over in her mind. Victor actually stated that he loved her and it is such a magnificent feeling to have someone care for you in that way. Still grinning, she showed him the dumbwaiters in her house, another antiquity of the house that fascinated him.
“There are three in the house. I use them to drop the decorations from the extra bedroom I use to store them in and wheel it to the main floor. Also for laundry, after I fold the clothes I just place them in there and send them on their way.”
Victor stuck his head into the opening to inspect it better. “That’s ingenuity. These have the pulley system so they must be original to your house.�
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“I think they are.”
He reached up to the pulley then to the rope to give it a yank to move the dumbwaiter. “You have to tug on a rope to move it. So glad you didn’t modernize them with electrical switches. You ever ride in any of them?”
“No!” she squealed, “My luck it would get stuck.”
“Care to try?”
“Perhaps later,” she lied.
They removed the fall decorations of pumpkins, pilgrims, the many silk flowers and swags she had hanging throughout the first floor of her home and items placed on the many fireplace mantles.
“How many fireplaces are in here?”
“Seems to be one in just about every room. Eight and they are work.”
“Amazing.”
Maren waited on the second floor while Victor would send decorations up to her. As she waited for the next batch of pumpkins, she began to pack others into their boxes.
It wasn’t long before they had the Christmas decorations stacked around rooms. Victor watched Maren as she began to open a box and then another to see what they contained. Each box she peered into gave a new expression of excitement.
“You don’t remember what is inside, right?” Victor asked.
“Right. I keep saying next year I’ll write on the boxes but that never happens. We need to move the pair of wingback chairs and the stand and lamp from the alcove to place the tree.”
“Tree?”
“It’s in the basement, please. I’ll show you where, please.” She repeated, seductively moving to him, wrapping her arms around his neck to urge him down so she could give him a slow kiss.
“It certainly didn’t take you long how to use that body. All you need to do is ask me. I’ll do anything for you.”
“It’s more fun this way.” Maren grinned when he wrapped his arms around her waist as he looked into her face. “Once you see how big it is well, you may change your mind. I have twelve-foot ceilings and it reaches.”
His brows furrowed. “It’s in pieces, right?”
“But of course.”
A short time later the furniture was moved and the tree stood its majestic height in front of the window with white mini lights and the huge star on the tip glowing yellow. Victor stood with hands on his hips as he looked at the monster that he struggled with but damn it did look good. The ornaments he placed added to the old world charm.
